n a 135-page document filed in federal court Thursday, Starwood claims [Hilton CEO Christopher] Nassetta and at least 43 other Hilton executives were personally involved in or were aware of and condoned the use of the confidential information that Starwood says was stolen by former executives Ross Klein and Amar Lalvani.

Hilton declined comment, citing company policy against making statements on pending litigation.

The filing also claims that Steven Goldman, Hilton’s head of global development and a key member of Nassetta’s senior management team, used Lalvani as a "corporate spy" while he was still at Starwood. Goldman personally recruited Lalvani, while Nassetta recruited Klein, the suit claims.